It was the Jingyang Bell.
Su Che's sword-light stalled. He drew the Jade Splendor Kun Peak Sword Formation back in, and it flowed through the air like a sliver of cold moon, dimly circling as he retreated.
With such a wondrous treasure in hand, White Deer Grotto indeed had something to rely on.
This Jingyang Bell had originally been nothing remarkable. It had merely been a bell.
There had been such objects in the imperial court of the Northern Dynasties and in the Great Liang palace as well, but all the Jingyang Bells in those palaces were imitations of this one.
It was the Emperor Bell the Ancient Heavenly Court had once used to summon the immortals.
Its origins were simple enough: it was a ritual artifact forged by the Five Directions and Five Emperors of the Ancient Era. Ordinarily, it hung within the Heavenly Court's bell tower. Whenever the immortals were to be summoned, someone would be ordered to strike it.
Because this bell secretly accorded with the laws of the world, once it rang, it could command all immortals to gather and ascend to the Hall of Divine Firmament, where they would pay homage to the emperors and settle the Heavenly Court's countless arrangements and affairs.
It had been nothing more than a communication artifact.
What truly made the Jingyang Bell extraordinary was the moment the Ancient Heavenly Court was about to fall.
At that time, endless Heavenly Demons invaded, following every node as they assailed all that belonged to the Heavenly Court. Then, an immortal went to the bell tower and struck the Jingyang Bell.
The Heavenly Demons had invaded. The Heavenly Court had issued its decree.
The bell's toll resounded between heaven and earth, telling all cultivators beneath the sky one fact.
The nightmare of this